Following the Patriot Act lead of naming legislation for political purposes, the Parental Empowerment Act of 2005 has been introduced in Congress. (Via Blog of a Bookslut). Basically, the bill would cut off federal funding unless school boards create a “parent review and empowerment council.” Those councils would be allowed to have “significant input” and make recommendations “regarding the purchase or acquisition of any library or classroom-based reference, instructional, or other print material for use in any elementary school.”
Although textbooks are excluded, let’s just call this what it is — a censorship council for the religious right. If you doubt that, take a look at the legislation’s sponsor.
Censorship, like charity, should begin at home, but unlike charity, it should end there.
Clare Boothe Luce
